Thursday, 24 March 2016

The Code of Conduct Tribunal has dismissed an application by the senate president, Bukola Saraki, for false asset declaration charges against him to be dropped.

We reported it here few minutes ago that the embattled Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki was pictured looking downcast as he arrives for his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

During today's trial, Premium Times reported that the CCT has dismissed an application by the senate president, for false asset declaration charges against him to be dropped.

Kanu Agabi, lawyer to the senate president, had argued that the 13-count charge was invalid procedurally because the Code of Conduct Bureau which filed the charges, failed to allow Mr. Saraki explain discrepancies in his assets declaration forms as required by law.

But in his ruling on Thursday, the chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar, said there was no breach of law as the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 1989, still allows the senate president raise his clarifications at the level of the tribunal.

According to Danladi, by law, the CCB could receive complaints of breach of the Act and refer such complaints to the Tribunal, provided that it will allow the person involved to give a statement affirming or denying the said misconduct.

Danladi who upholded the argument made by the prosecution, said Section 3 (e) of the 3rd schedule of the 1999 Constitution gives the bureau the right to receive complaints of such nature and where necessary refer such matter to the tribunal.

According to him, Section 174 of the Constitution also gives the Attorney General of the Federation the prerogative to file criminal proceedings and does not owe any explanations to any one on how to go about it.